2009 chevrolet traverse Reviews and News

GM's marketing staff insists the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse is a "no-compromise" vehicle - but we beg to differ. That, however, is a compliment - with the seating capacity of a minivan, the towing capacity of a mid-size SUV, and the ride prowess of a large car, the Traverse may well be the ideal compromise for customers accustomed to large SUVs.

That may bode well for Chevy dealers. Not only does the Traverse loosely fit into the holes left by the departed Uplander minivan and Trailblazer SUV (finished after a brief '09 run), the capabilities - and better fuel economy - of the new crossover may help it attract customers who normally would shop for Tahoes and Suburbans.

Like the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook, the Traverse rides upon GM's Lambda platform. Although GM engineers note the Chevy crossover shares more body structure with the Enclave than the Acadia or Outlook, the Traverse sports a considerable amount of unique sheetmetal.

In fact, the only Enclave-like cues are seen on the Traverse's chiseled quarter windows, fender kink and boat-tail hatch; even these subtly differ from those on its Buick sibling. Rear fenders rise upward with a distinct coke-bottle shape; the taillamps sport Chevy's trademark dual round lamps (albeit set in chiseled surrounds). Thanks to a lower license plate mount, the Traverse has a unique tailgate.

Up front, designers attempted to cop cues from the successful Malibu sedan as much as possible. Sure, the elongated headlamps evoke memories of the ungainly Uplander, but other cues - notably the smooth integration of the split-bar grille - tie the Traverse to Chevy's current design language. Panel gaps seem to be consistent (even on the pre-production vehicles we drove) and remarkably tight; GM claims gaps on the Traverse measure a scant 3.5 mm - reportedly equal to or better than most Lexus offerings.

The Malibu influence continues within, where an oversized version of the sedan's "dual-cockpit" dashboard can be seen. Materials are on par with those of other recent GM products (think Malibu), and while they may be a bit hard to the touch, their overall feel is solid. Our vehicles were all pre-production testers, meaning a few gaps - especially a large chasm between the dashboard and the front passenger's door panel - are reportedly being improved before production.

As with the other Lambda crossovers, seating for eight across three rows is standard on the Traverse; bucket seats in the second row are optional on LT and LTZ trims, along with a second-row center console. Those buckets may seem a bit narrow upon entry, but actually provide a decent amount of comfort - even for adults.

Mechanically, the biggest change with the Traverse currently lurks underhood, where a 3.6-liter direct-injection V-6 - essentially the same engine found in Cadillac's CTS - lies coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. Like its siblings, the Traverse is set up primarily for front-wheel drive (approximately 65 percent of the model mix); all-wheel drive is optional.

In Lambda-spec, the direct-injection V-6 produces 281 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque in LS and LT forms; LTZ models - breathing via a dual exhaust system - yield 288 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. That's better than the older 3.6-liter V-6 found in the 2008 Acadia, Enclave, and Outlook, which managed to deliver 275 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque (2009 models will get the same direct-injected V-6 as the Traverse). Yes, those figures are down from the 304 hp and 273 lb-ft in the CTS, as a result, we're told, of a restrictive airbox and a longer exhaust.

Compared to the Enclave/Acadia/Outlook trio, we found the new engine adds a bit more power and torque to the Traverse's launch, but we were more impressed with the revised calibration of the six-speed. No longer does the gearbox seem to hunt around under acceleration; rather, it quickly - and smoothly - downshifts to move you around. Even when towing - a possibility, given the 5200-lb trailer capacity - the transaxle doesn't seem to jump around too sporadically.

Although the suspension was specifically tuned to deal with the Traverse's mass and tires, the ride isn't completely dissimilar to that of GM's other Lambdas. There's perhaps a little less float compared to the Enclave, but the Traverse drives like any of the other GM crossovers. That's not a bad thing, given it soaks up broken surfaces fairly well and manages to have sharp turn in - at least for a large utility. We did note a bit of wind noise at 70 mph - more so than in the deathly silent Toyota Highlander, for example - but overall, the Traverse remains calm and collected in everyday driving.

One compromise buyers may have to make is in the area of fuel economy. Even with the Traverse sporting a sleek exterior (it has a drag coefficient of 0.33) and the direct-injection engine, it still weighs in at just under 5000 lbs, prompting mileage to take a bit of a hit. The front-wheel-drive Traverse is rated for 17/24 city/highway mpg. Although that's thirsty, it's slightly better than the 16/24 offered by the similar 2009 Ford Flex - and it's certainly an improvement over a full-size SUV.

We're told pricing - and content levels - should be close to that of the Outlook (somewhere in the low $30k range) when the Traverse hits showrooms this fall. Given the nearly identical pricing, specifications and drive qualities to the other Lambdas, we'd expect buyers to cross-shop among the four by means of style - again, so they don't have to compromise.

First reviews of the new Chevrolet Traverse have hit the Web, and many are making light of a rather unusual number: 0.33. This is the drag coefficient of Chevy's new crossover, thanks to a rounded front fascia, a full-width front air dam, integrated headlamps, and tight (reportedly 3.5 mm) panel gaps.

Safety

Sound & Entertainment

Warranty

Vehicle

36,000 miles / 36 months

Powertrain

100,000 miles / 60 months

Corrosion

100,000 miles / 72 months

Roadside

100,000 miles / 60 months

Recalls

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:00

Component

SEAT BELTS

Summary

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES. THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELD RESTRICTS THE UPWARD ROTATION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WHEN THE SEAT BACK IS RETURNED TO A SEATING POSITION AFTER BEING FOLDED FLAT. IF THE BUCKLE CONTACTS THE SEAT FRAME, ADDITIONAL EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO RETURN THE SEAT TO A SEATING POSITION. IF SUFFICIENT FORCE IS APPLIED, THE BUCKLE COVER COULD BE PUSHED DOWN THE STRAP, EXPOSING AND PARTIALLY DEPRESSING THE RED RELEASE BUTTON.

Consequences

THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELDS. IF A SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IS DAMAGED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Potential Units Affected

207,210

Notes

GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:34:41

Component

SEAT BELTS: REAR:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Summary

GM IS RECALLING 16,667 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.' THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IN THE SECOND OR THIRD ROW THAT IS MISSING A RIVET.

Consequences

IN A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE RIVET IS MISSING, THE BUCKLE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE MOUNTING STRAP, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROWS, AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM .

Potential Units Affected

16,667

Notes

GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:00

Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Summary

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Consequences

IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Potential Units Affected

1,365,070

Notes

GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:34:50

Component

PARKING BRAKE

Summary

GM IS RECALLING 15,393 MY 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A PARK BRAKE CABLE LINK (CONNECTOR) THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. THIS CONNECTOR MAY FRACTURE WHEN THE PARK BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Consequences

IF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS IN THE PARK POSITION, THERE WILL BE NO UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT. HOWEVER, IF THE KEYS ARE LEFT IN THE IGNITION, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS IN ANY POSITION OTHER THAN PARK, AND THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A SUFFICIENT SLOPE, IT COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE PARK BRAKE CABLE LINK (CONNECTOR) FREE OF CHARGE. GM ANTICIPATES THAT THE DEALER BULLETIN WILL BE SENT MAY 5, 2009 AND OWNER LETTERS WILL BE MAILED IN JUNE 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Potential Units Affected

15,393

Notes

GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:34:50

Component

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

Summary

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT", AND FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION". ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP MAY NOT BE FULLY ENGAGED. IF THE CLIP IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED, THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK".

Consequences

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP IS FULLY ENGAGED. IN THE EVENT THAT THE CLIP DOES NOT ENGAGE, THE SHIFT CABLE WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Potential Units Affected

276,729

Notes

GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:40

Component

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Summary

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequences

Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

Potential Units Affected

1,176,407

Notes

General Motors LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:40

Component

SEAT BELTS

Summary

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

Consequences

If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.

Remedy

General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

Potential Units Affected

1,339,355

Notes

General Motors LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:50

Component

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

Summary

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to February 29, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

Consequences

If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.